This blog is dedicated to reporting the movements and musings, the updates and observations of the Erber family; including their personal, business and ministry pursuits and activities, as well as miscellaneous commentary on life in general and their family, friends and relations in particular.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Hurricane Katrina Relief

This morning Joshua and Nathan left with a large truck load of supplies headed for delivery from our church to a church in Gulfport, Mississippi.

We are thankful for those who donated their time and resources to make this trip possible. Yesterday Nathan was able to rent a brand new truck for a very reasonable rate (discounted greatly since it was being rented for a relief project). By mid-afternoon, we had already begun gathering supplies (SAM'S, Goodwill, Wal-Mart, etc.) and had our first stuff loaded into the truck. From there we went on to shop at GFS, Woodman's, Logli's, and Farm & Fleet, and finally, by just after 9:00 pm, we had the truck full, the church's designated amount nearly spent, and were heading back home. In the end, our shipment included items such as: a variety of non-perishable food items, paper plates, paper towels, plastic ware, diapers, wipes, clothing, pillows, water, toilet paper, laundry detergent, can openers, basic hygiene and medical supplies, bleach, pain relievers, generators, fuel, water, tarps, Bibles, bug spray, flashlights, batteries, rope, duct tape and more!

At almost every store we visited when they heard that we were collecting supplies for the relief of the gulf coast area, they were immediately very eager to help us in any way they could. At Logli's the assistant manager was especially helpful and seemed very touched by what we were doing. He shook all our hands and thanked us when we left the store! Those waiting in line behind us at the customer service desk were also very gracious. "Don't worry about us! If you're bringing that all down to Mississippi, we'll wait forever for that. It's so good of you to be doing this." The manager at GFS donated about $80 worth of paper goods, and an extra large jar of candy. He said, "It doesn't really serve any purpose but it will make some kids happy!" At Farm & Fleet, we made the cashier's day and one man who helped us came out to the truck as we were leaving to offer his best wishes and tell us to be careful on the way.

Others also helped out: Nathan Del's family's church in Michigan has also joined with us in financially supporting this project.

Jeremy is currently building an addition for a lady in Lake County. When she heard of what we were doing as he worked yesterday, she wrote a check out to the church to be used to aid the relief effort and sent it home with Jeremy.

The mother of one of Jessica's piano students also wrote a check to our church for the same purpose.

The pictures make the truck appear less full than it really was. In fact, it just about maxed out the weight limit. You can't see it in these pictures, but the lady at the leasing company put a sign on the side of the truck that clearly stated that we were driving with hurricane relief supplies. She said that at weigh/check stations they are often just waving through those vehicles that are carrying supplies down to the coast. Nathan & Josh have both also been admonished to take a lot of pictures, and Nathan brought his video camera along as well and hopes to get some footage to show our church upon their return.

Please continue to pray for the guys as they travel, and also for the church and families they are seeking to help in Gulfport.

Nathan thinks maybe we should trim some of the bushes, and perhaps remove a certain tree from along the border of our driveway. Not sure why - he seemed to make it in and out just fine!